Three out of four child seats improperly installed

“The Florida Highway Patrol encourages everyone transporting a child to use a car seat or booster seat that has been inspected or installed by a certified technician who is trained to ensure the seat provides maximum protection for your child,” FHP spokesperson Lieutenant Bill Leeper told Historic City News.

“The Department provides lifesaving guidance on our website, where busy parents and guardians can review it at a time and location that is convenient to them,” Leeper said.

To help more families buckle up their children properly, the Florida Highway Patrol is hosting car seat check events in the coming week. The Department is recognizing National Child Passenger Safety Week, September 19th – 25th, as a springboard to educate parents and to raise awareness of the national guidelines for putting children in the proper restraint for their age, size and weight.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research, the proper use of child restraints has saved the lives of 8,325 children under age five during the past 30 years. Research shows that child restraints and boosters provide the best protection for all children up to age eight.

While Florida law requires a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer’s factory installed seat for children up to age three, the Department encourages parents to use booster seats after children outgrow their car seats. Maximum protection is provided when children ride in booster seats until they are at least age eight or 4’9” tall.

Want to make sure a needy child in your area is safe on the road?
For some parents, purchasing a safety seat for their little ones is a financial burden, but here is how you can help… The next time you register or renew your Florida motor vehicle license tag, you can donate $2 that will help purchase a car seat or booster seat for a child in your own county.

For child safety seat guidelines, visit www.flhsmv.gov/SafetyTips/CPS.htm.

For more information on the Department’s Child Passenger Safety program, to include contact information to set up an appointment to have your child’s safety seat inspected, visit www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/CPS

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News staff photographer